Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1905 — General Inutility Boy. [ARTICLE]

General Inutility Boy.

Mr. Hobbs looked thoughtfully at liis city guest and then looked out of the window. “When you ask me if it’s true that Jim Manton is the most pop’lar boy I’ve ever had to ’ten store and go round with the order wagon,” he said, slowly, “why, I’m bound to tell you it’s so. But when you go on to ask me how I think he’d suit down in Boston, I’m kind of dubious—that’s what I am., kind of dubious. “You see, it’s like this with my business. Order day is order day, and delivery day is delivery day, and whether it’s summer, with thutty-two customers on the route, or winter, with—well, with some less, all Jim’s got to do those days is to get over the route by shutting-up time. “And he’s what you might call a handy boy, Jim is. Groceries and hardware aren’t all he’s got in his mind, and he’s ready to take hold and help with what’s going on wherever he goes. So —I feel —kind of dubious when I think of Boston. I don’t know as you catch my meaning?” “M-m,” said the city man. “I believe I do.”